Small steps.

So...I have, once again, stopped taking the long term painkiller I was prescribed at the hospital mainly because I have to drive to Brisbane tomorrow for my fortnightly review at the P.A.The journey up from Ashby on Monday was not good and I put it down to the painkiller I was on. I felt very woozy and a little nauseous on that journey so hope that all will be well tomorrow.I appear to be managing well with just the paracetamol though my side is still painful to touch and when I move...but nothing too bad.I had an email today from a local school asking about my recovery and if I felt upto doing two days supply cover next week.I asked which age groups it was for as I didn't want anything too strenuous and it turns out it is for a Year 1/2 class....right up my alley! So I have said 'Yes!'I am sure I will be fine and we could certainly do with the money...well, it will be good for me as I feel I have contributed nothing these past few weeks. All I have done is sit about and be waited upon.

Jaxy the Generator!

I am not quite sure why the Chinese Economy is doing so badly recently. Will is always sending off for some new Chinese gadget to enhance our lives. His latest purchase is a device that turns Jaxy, the scooter, into a generator for when we are low on power. We are hoping it will help us to run the washing machine too so that there is no need to spend redundant hours waiting at the laundrette in Stanthorpe for some Italian fruit picker's underwear to stop spinning!

Mouse parties.

While I have been away I suspect Will has been throwing 'mouse parties.'I noticed huge lumps nibbled out of the washing up sponge at teatime yesterday.I woke once in the night and heard something scuttle loudly across the floor but today watched as a tiny little mouse crept out of a hole in the wall by the window and started to explore the windowsill in full view and broad daylight.Later there was a scuffling in the ceiling above my head and I looked up to spy a much larger mouse bum hanging out of a gap between the roofing tin and wooden beam. It disappeared but moments later reappeared and as brazen as you like crawled along the vertical side of the beam for a bit before disappearing into another hole.I can actually see one right now scuttling about under the futon sofa under the verandah!Winter is coming and they will be searching for a warmer abode. The Englishman in me is tempted to put out traps and be rid of them since sharing your house with vermin is simply not the done thing...but....I am not sure if it is me turning 'Aussie' but part of me feels, 'Well, I am the intruder here' and I am tempted to let them get on with it as long as it doesn't affect us too greatly.We will see.

Back in the Bush.

So...we are returned to Frogknot once more.I wasn't allowed to leave the girls until they had seen me holding my wallet and my camera.Jen is going to make me a small satchel out of goat leather, that Will tanned years ago on his goat farm at Cooma, so that I no longer have to carry things in my shallow short pockets. Their kindness is never ending!It was a bumpy and twisty route back up the Range from Ashby. We stopped for lunch at Tabulam, a sleepy backwater of a village higher up the Clarence River, where we were served fantastic chips!The journey really wore me out and I tumbled straight into bed and slept for a few hours waking just before sunset to see a swamp wallaby drinking from the dam.It is good to be home but I am going to miss Tracy and Jen, and river life very much until we see them again.

Happy Birthday Dulcie!

She would have been 93 today....and from tomorrow would she have told everyone she was in her 94th year!